Daniel, 13

1. There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:

1. There lived in Babylon a man named Joakim,

2. And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.

2. who was married to a very beautiful God-fearing woman, Susanna, Hilkiah's daughter,

3. Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

3. whose pious parents had trained her in the law of Moses.

4. Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.

4. A very rich man and greatly respected by his countrymen, Joakim was frequently visited by the Jews in his house adjoining a garden.

5. The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.

5. That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, in whom this word of the Lord became true, "Wickedness has come forth from Babylon, through the elders appointed judges, who were supposed to govern the people."

6. These kept much at Joacim's house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.

6. These men frequented Joakim's house, and all who had legal disputes used to come to them.

7. Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk.

7. After the people had left at noon, Susanna would go into her husband's garden for a walk.

8. And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.

8. The two old men began to lust for her as they watched her enter the garden every day.

9. And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.

9. Forgetting the demands of justice and virtue, their lust grew all the more as they made no effort to turn their eyes to heaven.

10. And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.

10. Although both were possessed of the same passion for her, they concealed that from each other,

11. For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.

11. for they were ashamed to reveal their lustful desire.

12. Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.

12. But they continued watching her day after day.

13. And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.

13. One day before lunch, they parted, saying to each other, "Let us go home for it is meal time. So off they went in different directions.

14. So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.

14. but both turned back, and coming face to face again, each was obliged to explain his action and admit his lust. They agreed to wait for an opportunity to meet her alone.

15. And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.

15. One day, as they were waiting for an opportune time, Susanna entered the garden as usual with only two maids. She decided to bathe, for it was a hot day.

16. And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.

16. Nobody else was there ex-cept the two elders watching her from where they had hidden themselves.

17. Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.

17. She said to the maids, "Bring me oil and ointments, and shut the garden doors while I bathe."

18. And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.

18. Unaware of the elders hidden inside the garden, the two maids did as ordered, shutting the doors and leaving by the side entrance to the house to fetch what she had asked for.

19. Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,

19. When the maids had left, the two elders hurried to her and said,

20. Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.

20. "Look, the garden doors are shut and no one sees us. We desire to possess you.

21. If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.

21. If you refuse to give in, we will testify that you sent your maids away for there was a young man here with you."

22. Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.

22. Susanna moaned, "Whatever I do, I am trapped. If I give in to your desire, it will be death for me; if I refuse, I won't escape your persecution.

23. It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

23. I would rather be persecuted than sin in the eyes of the Lord."

24. With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.

24. Susanna shrieked, but the old men shouted, putting the blame on her.

25. Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.

25. One of them ran and opened the garden doors.

26. So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.

26. Hearing the noise in the garden, the household servants rushed in by the side entrance to see what was happening.

27. But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.

27. They were taken aback when they heard the elders' accusation, for never had anything like this been said of Susanna.

28. And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;

28. The next day a meeting was held at Joakim's house. The two elders arrived, vindictively determined to have Susanna sentenced to death.

29. And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim's wife. And so they sent.

29. They ordered before all the people, "Send for Susanna, Hilkiah's daughter and Joakim's wife."

30. So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.

30. They sent for her, and she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.

31. Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.

31. Susanna was a very refined and beautiful woman.

32. And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.

32. She had her veil on, but the wicked elders ordered her to uncover her face for them to feast on her beauty.

33. Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.

33. Her family and friends and all who saw her wept.

34. Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

34. The two elders stood up and laid their hands upon her head.

35. And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.

35. Completely trusting in the Lord, she raised her tearful eyes to heaven.

36. And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.

36. The elders started making their accusation, "We were taking a walk in the garden when this woman came in with two maids. She ordered them to shut the garden doors and dismissed them.

37. Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.

37. Then a young man came out of hiding and lay with her.

38. Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.

38. We were in a corner of the garden, and we saw this crime from there. We ran to them,

39. And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.

39. and caught them in the act of embracing. We were unable to take hold of the man. He was too strong for us. He made a dash for the door, opened it and ran off.

40. But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.

40. But we were able to seize this woman. We asked her who the young man was,

41. Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.

41. but she refused to tell us. This is our statement, and we testify to its truth." The assembly took their word, since they were elders and judges of the people. Susanna was condemned to death.

42. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:

42. She cried aloud, "Eternal God, nothing is hidden from you; you know all things before they come to be.

43. Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.

43. You know that these men have testified falsely against me. Would you let me die, though I am not guilty of all their malicious charges?"

44. And the Lord heard her voice.

44. The Lord heard her,

45. Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:

45. and as she was being led to her execution, God aroused the holy spirit residing in a young lad named Daniel.

46. Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.

46. He shouted, "I will have no part in the death of this woman!"

47. Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?

47. Those present turned to him, "What did you say?" they all asked.

48. So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?

48. Standing in their midst, he said to them, "Have you become fools, you Israelites, to condemn a daughter of Israel without due process and in the absence of clear evidence?

49. Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.

49. Return to court, for those men have testified falsely against her."

50. Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.

50. Hurriedly they returned, and the elders said to Daniel, "Come and sit with us, for you also possess the gifts bestowed by God upon the elders."

51. Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.

51. Daniel said to the people, "Separate these two from one another and I will examine each of them."

52. So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are come to light.

52. When the two elders were separated from each other, Daniel called one of them and said, "How wicked you have grown with age. Your sins of earlier days have piled up against you, and now is the time of reckoning.

53. For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.

53. Remember how you have passed unjust sentences, condemning the innocent and freeing the guilty, although the Lord has said 'The innocent and the just should not be put to death.'

54. Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.

54. Now, if you really witnessed the crime, under what tree did you see them do it?"

55. And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.

55. The elder answered, "Under a mastic tree." Daniel said, "Your lie will cost you your head. You will be cut in two, as soon as the Lord's angel receives your sentence from God."

56. So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.

56. Putting the first one aside, Daniel called the other elder and said to him, "You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, you have long allowed yourself to be perverted by lust.

57. Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.

57. This is how you have dealt with the daughters of Israel, who out of fear have yielded to you. But here is a daughter of Judah who would not tolerate your wickedness.

58. Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.

58. Tell me then, under what tree did you catch them committing the crime?" The answer came, "Under an oak."

59. Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.

59. "Your lie has also cost you your head," Daniel said. "God's angel waits to cut you both in two."

60. With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.

60. The whole assembly shouted and blessed God for helping those who hope in him.

61. And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:

61. They turned against the two elders who, through Daniel's efforts, had been convicted by their own mouths. In accordance with Moses' law, the penalty the two elders had intended to impose upon their neighbor was inflicted upon them.

62. And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.

62. They were sentenced to death. Thus was the life of an innocent woman spared that day.

63. Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.

63. Hilkiah and his wife praised God for the justice given Susanna, and so did Joakim her husband and all her relatives, for she was not found guilty of any shameful deed.

64. From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

64. Daniel was greatly esteemed by the people from that day onward.